SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 1-- Suspected militants shot dead a rural body head in Indian- controlled Kashmir ahead of second phase of local elections, police said Monday.

The rural body member Mohammed Sultan Bhat was a grass root level political worker affiliated with the region's ruling pro- Indian party National Conference (NC).

The killing took place late Sunday at village Nazneenpora of Shopian district, about 60 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"A Sarpanch (rural body head member) of NC was fired at and critically wounded by militants late Sunday," a senior police official told Xinhua. "Mohammed Sultan Bhat was traveling in his car when militants stopped him and fired on him. He succumbed to his wounds."

Bhat was elected as rural body head in the region's 2011 rural body elections.The killing has come day before second phase of region's local elections. The first phase recorded over 70 percent turnout and voters ignored the boycott call of separatist groups.

On Tuesday 18 Assembly segments in five districts would go to polls .

"My heartfelt condolences to his (Bhat's) family and loved ones. He joins the many hundreds of NC cadre killed for their political beliefs," the region's Chief Minister and head of NC wrote on twitter.

So far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the killing.

Police has registered a case and started an investigation into the killing.

The killing has created panic in the village.

Last month gunmen shot dead the brother of a rural body member affiliated with a pro-India People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Following the rural body elections, these members became easy targets for militants.

A guerrilla war is also going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently.

The five-phase staggered polls for local elections in the restive region began on Nov. 25 and would end on Dec. 20.

India has sent 520 additional companies of paramilitary troops to strengthen the security grid during the upcoming elections.

Separatist militant groups opposing New Delhi's rule in the region reject Indian elections and usually urge people to boycott the exercise.

Though regional parties like NC and PDP usually have a main role in government making, this year India's right-wing Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is aiming at winning 44 plus seats in the 87-strong assembly (lawmaking body).

The Congress party too has a vote bank in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

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